BRICS Media and Think Tanks Unite for Global South Cooperation

BRICS Media and Think Tank Forum: Advancing Cooperation

On July 16, 2025, Rio de Janeiro witnessed a significant gathering at the BRICS Media and Think Tank Forum, where over 250 representatives from nearly 150 media outlets, think tanks, government bodies, and regional organizations across 36 countries assembled. This event marks a pivotal moment in promoting cooperation among BRICS nations, aiming to strengthen the solidarity within the Global South.

Fu Hua, the chair of the forum and president of Xinhua News Agency, opened the forum with a compelling keynote speech. He emphasized how enhanced cooperation among BRICS nations plays a crucial role in unifying countries within the Global South. According to Fu, this collaboration not only amplifies their influence on the global stage but also catalyzes necessary reforms in global governance. As the forum embarks on its second decade, Xinhua remains dedicated to collaborating with BRICS peers to effectively narrate the stories of the Global South, conduct joint research on prominent issues, and deepen professional partnerships.

Zhu Qingqiao, the Chinese ambassador to Brazil, congratulated the forum for encompassing discussions on artificial intelligence, highlighting its significant contribution to the 17th BRICS Summit's outcomes. Zhu expressed aspirations for the event to further elevate BRICS as a crucial platform for South-South collaboration and as a prominent voice advocating for reforms in global governance.

The sentiments surrounding the need for innovative governance resonated with many speakers. Carlos Hernandez, president of the Central American Parliament, underscored the pressing demand for new models and voices in global governance. He commended participating nations for paving the way toward equitable development, dignity, and multilateralism.

Mikhail Gusman, first deputy director-general of the TASS Russian News Agency, remarked on the diversity found among BRICS countries, noting their integral role in addressing the heightened challenges faced by media globally. He reaffirmed that the cooperation among BRICS media is essential to championing truth, justice, and peace across nations.

Brazil's Legislative Assembly vice president, Tia Ju, praised China's initiatives aimed at fostering unity among Global South nations. She stressed the necessity of media collaboration to amplify the international visibility and influence of BRICS. Yeidckol Polevnsky Gurwitz, from the Mexican Senate, echoed this sentiment, asserting that Mexico shares BRICS's vision for inclusive growth and equitable trade while firmly rejecting external interference in its development trajectory. She called for a collective effort to establish a multipolar world consistent with China's vision for a community with a shared future for humanity.

As the forum concluded, it unveiled a think tank report titled "BRICS Cooperation Advancing the Collective Progress of the Global South" and introduced two major initiatives: the Global South Joint Communication Partnership Program and the "Tapping into BRICS, Voices from the South" Content Collaborative Project.

This forum, co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency and Brazil Communication Company, marked the first full assembly of the BRICS media framework since the historic expansion of the bloc. The theme "BRICS United Forging a New Chapter for the Global South" encapsulates the forum's spirit, showcasing the commitment to a unified future for the participating nations.

Through collaborative efforts and robust discussions, the BRICS Media and Think Tank Forum aims to shape a constructive path forward for the Global South, amplifying its collective voice in international dialogues.